LANGHORNE Creek dairyfarmer James Stacey doesn't let the demanding milking schedule stop him from keeping up-to-date with the world of twitter.
"I'm sure people think I'm sitting at home on twitter all day, but like most people who've got good mobile coverage I'll be out and about doing things - maybe getting the cows in on the motorbike," James said.
James has been an avid twitter user since 2011, and says social media has helped him connect with farmers across the globe.
"For me, I get a lot of information and share it with other people. I first got onto it to see what other farmers were doing in other parts of the world," he said.
"Twitter makes you aware of what is happening before the mainstream media. For example, when New Zealand went through a pretty dry patch a couple of years ago it was pretty evident from conversations farmers were having and the pictures they were putting up that things were getting pretty dry and it was becoming a problem. You also get an idea of where has had frost or good rain or no rain.
"I think the market intelligence you can get from twitter is really valuable.
James said he particularly enjoyed the interactive nature of twitter, and the ability to have 'almost real-time conversations' with groups of people. In a time when farming can be a lonely job, he said social media allowed farmers to connect with more people than ever.
"Rural communities, purely through the drive for greater efficiencies, involve less people," he said. "I think it probably allows farmers to vent and not feel alone, too, because there's other people out there who will understand your issues.
"You can also ask a question and people will come back with a response or point you in the right direction.
"If you're getting on it just to learn and gather information and read about different agricultural issues, I think it's something that would benefit a lot of people. With twitter, you don't have to be an active talker, you can be a spectator if you really want."
In addition to twitter, James regularly uses the Weatherzone app to keep track of local conditions.
"It's got quick, up-to-date information. I do contract hay and silage, so when I'm doing that it gives you a good run-down on temperature and humidity in one-hour increments so you can organise things a bit better," he said.